Who knew apples and chocolate tasted so good together! Layers of sweet and juicy fruit topped with a buttery crumble with dark chocolate make up this dessert that is wonderful in so many ways: it comes together quickly, can be made ahead, and is great to serve a crowd.
SAVE THIS RECIPE
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Perfect comfort food
Who doesn't love apple desserts, and especially apple crumble or the crowd-pleasing apple oat crisp? I know that in my house it's at the top. Maybe a lemon pie can trump it once in a while. Maybe.
I grew up in a family that didn't particularly like chocolate and cheesecakes. The nerve, I know. I mean, how can you not love brown sugar cheesecake or a flourless chocolate cake??
So I had to come up with ingenious ways of using fruit. This chocolate apple crisp is one of my favorites. And the unique and easy applesauce crisp, if I'm being honest.
I based my recipe on my grandmother's original recipe, the first thing I ever made, and it turned out better than expected. The result is incredible. Really, the combination of apples, cocoa, and chocolate is amazing.
This apple crisp has two parts: the fruit layer and the crumble topping (streusel), which includes chocolate.
Fruit layer
Type of apples: I use Granny Smith apples because they're the most acidic (needed to balance out the butter and sugar in the rest of the recipe), and they hold their shape well after baking, which is grea,t so you don't get a mushy layer of apples.
Chocolate crumble layer
This is the topping and it is a simple crumb mixture (butter, sugar, and flour) with the addition of cocoa and chopped chocolate. The result is fantastic!
Cutting the apples
After peeling and coring the apples, the truth is that you can cut them in whatever thickness or shape you want.
The difference will be after they are baked: thick slices will not be as soft as thin slices. Too thin slices will become more of a compote, very soft. Chopped apples will almost disintegrate by the time the dessert is baked.
Chunks that are too large will make it more challenging to eat with a spoon without having to cut each piece. And so on.
My favorite way? Cut the apples into quarters and then slice each piece crosswise (the opposite of lengthwise), so that they end up being bite-sized.
Then comes a layer of sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice on top of the apples.
About the sugar: adding it is optional. It will sweeten the dessert. If you have a sweet tooth, it is great. If you like lightly sweetened desserts (like I do), you're probably better off adding half or not at all. The crumble has enough sweetness. It will depend on how acidic the apples are.
Making the topping
- The steps are very easy: mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl (image 1). Add the cold butter in pieces (image 2) and work it with your hands until it is the size of peas, approximately (image 3). Add the chopped chocolate (chunks or chips) and mix it before using (image 4).
Ratio of apples and crumble
Both the fruit and the crumble dramatically shrink during baking. Especially the apples.
That's why we pile a large mound of both sliced apples and crumble topping in the dish. It looks like it will all fall apart and never bake. But it does, and it comes out of the oven perfectly.
I like to have a 3:2 ratio or three parts apples and two parts chocolate crumble (image above). Approximately.
I make this dessert without paying much attention to amounts. I did while developing this recipe, but I don't usually. Sometimes it has more chocolate, sometimes it has less fruit.
So find you're own favorite ratio and use it with any fruit crumble or crisp recipe you make.
Make-ahead
This dessert freezes wonderfully. Wrap it well and freeze it for a month or so. I like to defrost it in the refrigerator and warm it before eating.
The chocolate crumble can be frozen, without the chopped chocolate. And it keeps well in the refrigerator for at least a week. Add the chocolate before assembling the dessert.
Dessert for a crowd
It can be easily doubled or tripled.
If you have to feed a large number of people, make the crumble ahead of time. You can use the food processor. Don't overmix, but pulse until the butter is the size of beans or peas.
Bake it up to a day ahead and keep refrigerated, covered. Warm before serving.
Chocolate Apple Crisp
Ingredients
For the crumble:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, you can substitute ⅓ cup with superfine whole wheat flour for a more rustic feel
- pinch of salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ⅔ cup butter, cold and in pieces
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks
For the apple filling:
- 1 pound apples, about 4 (I am partial to Granny Smith, but other baking apples work well)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven in 350ºF (180ºC).
- Butter a 9-inch glass or ceramic dish.
Chocolate crumble:
- In a large bowl (or the bowl of a food processor), add 1 cup all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder, ¾ cup brown sugar and lightly mix.
- Add ⅔ cup butter, cold and in pieces, and work it with your hands or a dough cutter (or pulse if using the processor) until clumps begin to form.
- Transfer to a medium bowl, mix in ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks and refrigerate while making the filling.
Apple layer:
- Peel, core and cut 1 pound apples in half. Cut in half again so you have 4 quarters for each apple. Cut each piece into slices. Transfer to the prepared dish, covering the bottom.
- In a small bowl mix 2 tablespoons sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle on top of the apples.
- Drizzle with ½ tablespoon lemon juice.
- Top with the chocolate crumble mixture distributing evenly. It will look like it's too much but it's fine.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until dry, bubbly and the apples are easily pierced.
- Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Mary Ann says
Just tried out this recipe tonight with part of our yearly stash of Gravenstein apples from Sebastopol, CA. I didn't add anything to the Gravs but made the topping exactly per the recipe. My husband and I both loved it! So cool to have a chocolate dessert AND a fruit dessert, both in one!
Paula Montenegro says
So happy it worked out well Mary Ann! Chocolate and apples are not paired much, and I think they go so well together. Have a great weekend!
Sarah says
I just helped my 5 year old make this and it was so good. She asked to sprinkle some frozen raspberry bits over the apple before putting the crumble on and it tasted amazing. Will definitely be making this again.
Paula Montenegro says
So glad you liked it Sarah! I love the idea of adding raspberries and knowing it's great to do with kids. Have a great week!
Carola says
It gets a 5 stars rating
Carola says
This is a hit at my house! We love this dessert. Sometimes make it with pears.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Wow, I would love to have this for breakfast!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Paula, I think my previous comment disappeared...if it did not, please delete one of them...I had never heard of chocolate apple crisps before either but it does sound like one creative sweet treat for a rainy day, just perfect.
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Paula, this is the perfect dessert for a rainy day and I had never heard of chocolate apple crisp either - now I know better and it looks like one creative treat!
Zeeona @ Basil and Strawberry says
This look super yummy, I totally have to try it!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Chocolate apple crisp is a delicious idea!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Wow, I would've never thought to put apples and chocolate together but that looks fantastic! This proves that chocolate really DOES go with everything! The Chocolate Party is such a great idea - I just requested to join the group on FB. This is totally up my alley - i'm obsessed with chocolate!
Guru Uru says
What incredible pairing my friend 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
this is great! I've never heard of chocolate apple crisp - sounds like a wonderful idea!
Mary x
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
Why not add chocolate to apple crisp? 🙂 yum!
Medeja says
Apples + chocolate is new idea..and I really like it 🙂 sounds like a real comfort food 🙂
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
This looks incredible, Paula! What an awesome recipe for the chocolate party! Have a wonderful weekend!
Pachecopatty says
Love your very creative chocolate apple crisp, the combination of flavors takes care of a couple of cravings at once, the fruity crisp and last but not least the warm melty chocolate, oh yum!
yummychunklet says
Great twist on the traditional apple crisp. Yum!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
I love Beatrice cookbook and this apple crisp sounds perfect for fall. Thanks for sharing it with the #chocolateparty!
Lizzy Do says
Hooray!! You did it...and what a marvelous recipe you chose. I'd never thought of a chocolate topping for apple crisp, but it looks amazing~
Cynthia L. says
We have 6 apple trees on our property and I am always looking for recipes with apples. This one is right will fit the bill. Apples and chocholate - what could be better?